Kite-string traveler



Patented Aug. 28, 1928.

UNITED STATES CORTES JOHNSON, OF LONG BEACH,,CALIFORNIA.

' KITE-STRING-TRAVELER.

Application fi1ed ctober 18, 1926. Serial No. 142,492.

An object of my invention is to provide a kite string traveler which will be moved upwardly along the string of a kite by the force of thewind, and which is tripped and automatically. returned by gravity to the flyer.

Another object is to provide a kite string traveler which is simple in construction, in

operation. v

Other objects, advantages, and features of invention, may appear from the accompanying drawing, the subjoined, detailed description, and the appended claims.

" In the drawing Fig. 1 is a side elevation of my kite strlng traveler in position to move along the string.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary side elevation showing the vanes in closed position.

Fig. 3 is an end view of my kite string traveler.

Referring more particularly to the drawing:

The frame 1 of my kite string traveler is formed of a single piece of wire which is bent in the following manner. One end of the wire is bent into the loop 2, adapted to accommodate the kite string 3. From the loop 2 the wire extends downwardly to a loop 4, forming one end of the trigger guides.

Thence the wire is bent horizontally as at 5, to a downwardly extending vane support 6. From the vane support the wire agaln extends horizontally as at 7, and then is bent into a loop 8, forming one of the trigger pin guides. From the loop 8 the wlre has a short horizontal reach 9 extending to a second trigger pin guide loop 10, in line with the loop 8. The wire then extends downwardly to form a string support 11, is then bent upwardly and looped around the reach 9 as at 12; thence extends upwardly and a second trigger guide loop 13 is formed in line with the loop 4, and the other end of the wire is then bent into the string guide loop 14, in line with the loop 2. g

A trigger 15 formed of a single length of wire is slidably mounted in the loops 4:, 18, and the forward end thereof is bent upward- 50 ly as at 16, so as to engage a cork or other suitable obstruction 17 on the kite strlng 3. The rear end of the trigger 15 extends downwardly to a horizontal trigger pin 18 which is guided in the loops 8, 10.

A vane 19 preferably formed of card-board or the like, is secured to the vane support 6 expensive to manufacture and effective in by suitable fastening means, such as, the rivets 20, and wings 21, 21 extend outwardly from the central portion of the vane. These wings are hinged to the central portion 22 of the vane by creasing the card-board or otherwise suitably securing the wings thereto. A string 23 is secured to each of the ,wings 21, preferably by slotting the wing as at 24, into which slot the end of the string is placed. The two strings 23 are secured together and are passed around the string support. 11, the end being looped over the trigger pin 18. The pin 18 projects beyond the loop 8 sufficiently to hold the strings 23 taut, and the wings 21 in an extended position. It will be seen that with the traveler held in the position shown in Fig. 1 with the wings 21 extended, that the force of the wind will carry the traveler along the string 3. \Vhen the cork 7 is reached the trigger 15 will be moved rearwardly releasing the strings 23, thus allowing the wings 21 to fold and permitting the traveler to return to the flyer by gravity.

By reason of the fact that the vane 19 is positioned below the frame 1, a lower center of gravity is obtained, thus insuring a proper positioning of the traveler relative to the kite string; that is, the traveler will al ways be below the string thus preventing it from fouling or entangling the string.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A kite string traveler comprising a frame formed of a single strip of wire, loops formed on either end of said strip through which the kite string is adapted to extend, a trigger slidably mounted in said frame, a vane secured to and depending from the said frame, hinged wings on said vane, strings secured to said wings adapted to be attached to the trigger, said trigger being adapted to engage an obstruction on the kite string, thereby releasing said strings and permitting the wings to fold and returning the traveler.

2. A kite string traveler comprising a frame formed of a single strip of wire, loops formed on either end of said strip through which the kite string is adapted to extend, a vane mounting on said frame extending clownwardly therefrom, a vane secured to said vane mounting, wings hinged on said vane, a trigger slidably mounted in said frame and extending the length thereof, strings secured to said wings, means on said trigger adapted to engage these strings whereby movement of the trigger will release said strings permitting the collapse of the Wings for the return of the traveler.

3. A kite string traveler comprising-a frame formed of a single strip of wire, loops formed on either end of said strip through which the kite string is adapted to extend, a vane mounting on said frame extending downwardly therefrom, a vane secured to said vane mounting, wings hinged on said vane, a trigger slidably mounted in said frame and extending the length thereof, a trigger pin on said trigger, strings secured to said wings, said strings being adapted to be looped over vthe trigger pin whereby longitudinal movement of the trigger will release the strings, permitting the collapse of the wings for the return of the traveler.

4. A kite string traveler comprising a frame formed of a single strip of wire, loops formed on either end of said strip through which the kite string is adapted to extend, a' vane mounting on said frame extending downwardly therefrom, a vane secured to said vane'mounting, wings hinged on said vane, a trigger slidably mounted in said frame and extending the length thereof, a trigger pin on said trigger, a string support on said frame, strings secured to said wings, said strings being adapted to extend around said string support, and loop over the said trigger pin, said pin being adapted to disengage the strings upon longitudinal movement of the trigger, thereby permitting collapse of the wings and the return'of the traveler.

In testimony, whereof, I affix my signature.

CORTES JOHNSON. 

